The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) in partnership withKeep Ohio Beautiful will celebrate the power of pollinators to support nature and agriculture as part of Keep Ohio Beautiful Day at the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday, September 28, 2016. The event will also will commemorate the 30th anniversary of Keep Ohio Beautiful as a Keep America Beautiful affiliate. A variety of activities are planned at the Ohio Statehouse, including planting an Ohio Native Pollinator Garden, designed by scientists at The Davey Tree Expert Co. In addition to attracting a variety of pollinators, this garden will provide nectar sources for the beehive on the Statehouse grounds.

Keep Ohio Beautiful Day celebrates the value and power of native species in restoring ecological balance to the environment while creating greener, more beautiful communities. To commemorate this day, Keep Ohio Beautiful will host a public educational event at the North Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will be kicked off by an interactive pollinator educational program with students from Annehurst Elementary (Westerville, Ohio) presented by senior entomologists from Scotts Miracle-Gro. Following the presentation, Senator Bob Peterson will read to the first and second grade students. A program with remarks from representatives of the participating organizations is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m.

The species included in the native pollinator garden were carefully selected by Ken Christenson, senior biologist for Davey Resource Group and Tamra Ansel, assistant deputy director for grounds with CSRAB. The design plan and herbaceous plants were donated by Davey.

High school students from the Knox County Career Center Landscape Design and Management Program, and organizations from throughout the state will be on hand to educate attendees about native plants, pollinators and related subjects. In the case of inclement weather, the location will be moved to the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public.

About Pollinators - In the U.S., pollination by honey bees, native bees and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually.
- Pollinators are responsible for one of every three bites of food we take.
- Many pollinators are listed on the federal endangered species list due to evidence of their disappearance in natural areas.
- Homeowners can support pollinators by growing attractive, easy-care native plants such as white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum), sweet pepper shrub (Clethra alnifolia), maple leaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and blazing star (Liatris spicata).

About Keep Ohio Beautiful Keep Ohio Beautiful, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, believes that everyone deserves to live in an environment that is healthy, safe, clean and beautiful. As a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Keep Ohio Beautiful serves as Ohio’s umbrella organization for our local 35+ affiliate organizations in numerous Ohio communities. By providing a strong support system and the sharing of best practices, Keep Ohio Beautiful enables volunteers in communities throughout Ohio to improve waste handling practices, litter prevention, recycling, beautification and community greening efforts. Website: keepohiobeautiful.org ; Twitter: Ohiobeautiful ; Facebook: KeepOhioBeautiful